- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Granta Books; 2nd Printing edition (1 Nov 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1847080596
- ISBN-13: 978-1847080592
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.2 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 282,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'This year's most original and instructive work of popular philosophy' --Julian Baggini, Financial Times
Review
'An extraordinary memoir'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I put this book on my Christmas list having read a couple of extracts in newspaper supplements; I'm very glad that I did.
The strange thing is that, because it felt like I'd read so much of the book in the published extracts, I felt I knew exactly what I was getting: a moving account of a man's experience living with a wolf. I nearly typed "owning" but, if you read the book, you will appreciate how inappropriate that term would be.
However, I was a long way off the mark in my expectations. Yes, the moving and funny accounts of life with an essentially wild animal were still there, there's definitely a wolf, but there's also the philosopher.
The author turns his expert mind on the experience of sharing 11 years of his life with Brenin to a wonderfully though-provoking extent. I found myself wanting to read the book to experience the journey of life with the wolf, but also wanting to check my progress to contemplate the issues on life and people raised.
It turns out living with a wolf shines a significant light on how we are as people. That Rowland's ultimate analysis of homo sapiens is somewhat unflattering (that our intelligence is driven by our need to understand our peers so that we can deceive them more and use them for our own purposes) doesn't make it wrong.
The book is both enlightening and uplifting and I recommend it whole-heartedly.
The strange thing is that, because it felt like I'd read so much of the book in the published extracts, I felt I knew exactly what I was getting: a moving account of a man's experience living with a wolf. I nearly typed "owning" but, if you read the book, you will appreciate how inappropriate that term would be.
However, I was a long way off the mark in my expectations. Yes, the moving and funny accounts of life with an essentially wild animal were still there, there's definitely a wolf, but there's also the philosopher.
The author turns his expert mind on the experience of sharing 11 years of his life with Brenin to a wonderfully though-provoking extent. I found myself wanting to read the book to experience the journey of life with the wolf, but also wanting to check my progress to contemplate the issues on life and people raised.
It turns out living with a wolf shines a significant light on how we are as people. That Rowland's ultimate analysis of homo sapiens is somewhat unflattering (that our intelligence is driven by our need to understand our peers so that we can deceive them more and use them for our own purposes) doesn't make it wrong.
The book is both enlightening and uplifting and I recommend it whole-heartedly.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The author steers just the right side of sentimentality with the story of his pet wolf. Everyone who has some dumb animal as his best buddy will empathise. The background story of growing up from being a beer swilling rugby playing, party animal to full on mid life existential crisis monger is told simply and apparently honestly.
I loved it
I loved it
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
In this book Mark Rowlands describes and relives his life experience with his companion wolf. Yes, not a pet but a companion. As explained by Konrad Lorenz, wolves are not like dogs, they are independent, mature animals in their own right and do not have the immature tendencies common to dogs. Dogs were bred for this tendency which is why the difference exists.
Rowlands is a philosopher but he is also very human and does not suffer from any kind of attempt to impose a philosophy on anyone. He simply lives his life and one of these experiences was with his wolf companion. This makes this book unique and worthwhile. The book is really a way of describing how it is possible to be a philosopher and a human being at the same time. So it is both full of his life as a philosopher and as the emotionally connected companion of a wolf. There are plenty of stories relating his experiences such as when Rowlands attempted to throw a stick to see if his wolf would fetch it, as he might have expected if he had a dog. Instead the the wolf just looked at him as if to say: "What, you want me to get that? Are you crazy ?"
The book is also filled with Rowlands life as a person with all his weaknesses and strengths exposed. His tendency to drink too much, his nomadic life and inability to connect to his frequent girlfriends. Throughout, this is interspersed with his learning experiences as the companion of his wolf. Simply a wonderful read.
Rowlands is a philosopher but he is also very human and does not suffer from any kind of attempt to impose a philosophy on anyone. He simply lives his life and one of these experiences was with his wolf companion. This makes this book unique and worthwhile. The book is really a way of describing how it is possible to be a philosopher and a human being at the same time. So it is both full of his life as a philosopher and as the emotionally connected companion of a wolf. There are plenty of stories relating his experiences such as when Rowlands attempted to throw a stick to see if his wolf would fetch it, as he might have expected if he had a dog. Instead the the wolf just looked at him as if to say: "What, you want me to get that? Are you crazy ?"
The book is also filled with Rowlands life as a person with all his weaknesses and strengths exposed. His tendency to drink too much, his nomadic life and inability to connect to his frequent girlfriends. Throughout, this is interspersed with his learning experiences as the companion of his wolf. Simply a wonderful read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Uplifting and thought provoking
When I first bought this I just couldn't put it down: the memoirs of the life shared with Brenin were captivating, funny and poignant, and the philosophical reflections on human... Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2010
Wonderful, life changing
This is simply an amazing read. It is moving in every single way and teaches you abit of everything. Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2009 by Mr. D. L. Edwards
No howlers here
My son mentioned this book to me and I'm pleased that he did. Quite aside from the fact that this book is so very easy to read, it pulled a lot of things into focus for me. Read more
Published on 17 Aug 2009 by F. M. Muse
Inspiring
The only way to truly understand what this wonderful book is elucidating is to read it yourself. The style should appeal to all manner of people - about biography, philosophy,... Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2009 by Harry J. Dienes
The philosopher and the wolf
At times this book was a little heavy - with all the philosophical theory - BUT - stick with it, because it makes you think, really think, about what your life is, what you are,... Read more
Published on 19 May 2009 by Ej Hobson
Living with a wolf
Having read this book a first time, I am left with good thoughts and feelings. The reason is that I recognise the sympathetic equality between human and animal that Mark Rowlands... Read more
Published on 28 April 2009 by A. HETTEMA
Thought provoking...well worth a read
This is a well written and thought provoking book. Mark Rowlands writes about his relationship with a wolf, telling the story of its training and their life together, but using... Read more
Published on 7 April 2009 by Bwana Kobe
The Wolf and the Philosopher and the Dictionary
Excuse me but what does/do "concomitant exigencies" mean. Why be so verbose when you can use language that the man in the street understands. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2009 by P. R. Kahanovitz
Great read, recommend to everyone
I was extremely pleased and surprised by this book - I was not entirely sure what to expect. I am sure the reviews above me have mentioned that this book is about a philosophy... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2009 by Rory Devitt
Uplifting
This is a wonderful and uplifting book and joins that rare category of book (for me) - the book read in one sitting. Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2009 by Prof G. J. Parker
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